Baldfaced Hornet Control in Stone Oak, TX
What people in Stone Oak usually notice first is the nest: a gray-brown paper ball, shaped like an upside-down pear, hanging from a branch or the side of a building, with an opening near the bottom. Before deciding anything, look at the insects going in and out, because more than one Texas wasp builds a gray paper nest in trees. If it is near a door, a play area or a lawn you mow, call or text (210) 281-1064, or book online.
Check the wasp, not only the nest #
Texas A&M AgriLife describes the baldfaced hornet as about 3/4 inch long, black with white markings on the face and at the tip of the abdomen (AgriLife Field Guide). Its nest is an enclosed paper carton up to 3 feet long, with two to four combs inside and one entrance at the bottom. A mature colony is a queen plus 200 to 400 workers.
Compare that with what else hangs in trees around here:
| Builder | Insect | Nest |
|---|---|---|
| Baldfaced hornet | 3/4 inch, black and white | Pear-shaped gray carton, entrance at bottom |
| Mexican honey wasp | 1/4 to 1/3 inch, mostly dark | Round paper nest about 18 inches, high in a tree |
| Paper wasp | 3/4 to 1 inch, slender, brown or red | Open comb, no cover |
| Honey bees | Fuzzy, about 1/2 inch | Wax comb, never paper |
If the wasps are small and dark, read the Mexican honey wasp page next.
What do the records say for San Antonio? #
Honestly, not much. AgriLife calls the baldfaced hornet the only "hornet" reported in Texas, and says it really belongs with the yellowjackets. Neither AgriLife nor the Texas Apiary Inspection Service, in the material we checked, says which parts of Texas it lives in or how common it is near San Antonio. Stone Oak is part of the city, in north Bexar County, not a separate town, and there is no local count for it either. So a black-and-white wasp on a gray carton is a real possibility here, but not something to assume.
Nests near Stone Oak Park and other green space #
The city lists Stone Oak Park on Stone Oak Parkway as a natural area with a 2.70-mile trail (City of San Antonio Parks). Natural areas and wooded lots are the kind of places where a tree nest can hang unnoticed for months. AgriLife says baldfaced hornets usually hang their nests in trees, sometimes on buildings, and almost always above ground. TAIS adds that because nests tend to be high or remote, these hornets are less likely to sting people than paper wasps or yellowjackets.
On a public trail, the simple rule is distance: keep walking, keep dogs leashed and away from the trunk, and never throw anything at a nest. On your own lot, the same tree line is worth a look from a distance in summer.
When does a tree nest need treatment? #
Leave it if:
- it is high in a tree you rarely walk under
- it sits at the back of a lot, away from doors, paths and play equipment
Have it treated if:
- it hangs over a doorway, driveway, patio, play set or pool
- it is in a tree or shrub you need to trim, or beside a lawn you mow
- someone in the household has a venom allergy or a heart condition
Penn State Extension warns that spraying only the outside of the carton angers the colony and raises the sting risk for days afterward (Penn State Extension). AgriLife's wasp bulletin says to treat from at least 10 to 15 feet in protective clothing such as a bee suit, or to hire a professional.
Until then #
- Mark the area and keep children and pets away from it.
- Hold off on trimming, mowing or blowing leaves under the nest.
- If you are attacked, cover your head and get into a building or car. Don't swat, and don't jump into a pool.
- Wash stings with soap and water and apply ice. Swelling that spreads well beyond the sting, or trouble breathing, needs a doctor.
How Pest Trappers handles baldfaced hornets in Stone Oak #
A technician confirms which insect built the nest, then judges height, access and how close it is to where people spend time. You hear the options, including leaving a remote nest alone, before anything is done, and any product is used exactly as the label says. The price follows the inspection, and the office confirms your appointment. Pest Trappers LLC (TPCL #0887549) is family-owned and licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture. See the baldfaced hornet guide and the Stone Oak page for more.